Of course stats mean something, but just to highlite the stats of a few sucesses as compared to the many who don't make it is slightly unfair. But as of this time his stats ain't that good, especially for such an expense. Can go either way, but one thing is for certain, this time next next, only one person can be laughing..That'll be you, as it means he's done well.. And if he fails i will certainly not be laughing. All have the same end product in mind. Now if you want to highlite anything else?
Actually I thought we would sign Bent because of his situation at Spurs and to be honest at the time I was not keen on him, I thought he was no where near the player Cisse was but hey I was proven wrong, now Cisse was the player I thought we had no chance of getting. I thought we would get Gyan too because as other have said he was unproven at EPL level. My question was who could we get that's better? I am not sure their is anyone, for me Sturiddge proved himself at Bolton and I think he would be an excellent signing, I just don't see any big names out there that we could attract. I think Wickham would be an excellent signing and will work out well for us.
I feel that an agents take on this would be as follows "look you're 18 go to Sunderland and you get 10% or what ever of 13 million now and I get a canny rake an all. Then when you prove yourself in 2 years time you go to liverpool man utd for 25 mil of which you get 10% or you go to Liverpool direct same money but no move on, likely to stay there fight for your place and I make no where near as much as I'd like......
I can't see Liverpool paying 13 million for a reserve, after all they can't put £35 million Andy on the bench.
I have to say, again, I am very happy with this move and hope it comes off. We wont know until the window closes what the full story is but if we can have a front three of Gyan,Wickham and Dong by July 1st with a month and a bit to go, not a bad start to me.
I started this debate yesterday under the title fee agreed. Can someone please explain to me how its been changed to whicham agreed terms-talksport. For one his names spelt wrong and two didn't know you could do it. Cheers
Ipswich teenager Connor Wickham is due on Wearside for a medical at Sunderland today ahead of his £8 million transfer. The 18-year-old was already rumoured to have agreed personal terms with the Black Cats, so a successful medical could see the transfer completed very quickly. The England Under 21 striker is one of the country's most sought-after young talents, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham all interested in signing him. But Sunderland, keen to find a long-term successor to the striking slot vacated by Darren Bent in January, moved first and seem to have got their man. The initial fee - reported to be less than £9 million - could rise to £13 million with add-ons.
But Sunderland, keen to find a long-term successor to the striking slot vacated by Darren Bent in January, moved first and seem to have got their man. Why is Bent's name cropping up, surely Bruce is looking for a proven striker as the replacement for Bent. Don't see Dong-Won named being mentioned in the same breath as Judas.
I really hope the club don't see Connor as a ready made replacement for Judas. Maybe in a year or two but not yet.
Maybe we are not trying to replace Bent, 20 plus goals a season players are hard to find. Maybe we are replacing the dependance on a 20 goal a season striker by getting 2 12 goals a season strikers plus a few 5-10 goal a season midfield players. Maybe we are learing that spreading the goal tally also spreads the risk. Maybe we have learnt that all eggs in one basket causes problems if the egg breaks.
This is the key for me. I would much rather see Gyan finish with 15 or so goals, Wickham with 10 or so, and then get 20+ from the rest of the team. Wouldn't hurt it Turner and Bramble could get their head on a couple from set prices either......
Ah but Ballin - he did his MJ tribute against Spurs... Not realising that the goal was wrongly chalked off!!! Imagine the look on the groundstaff's face when he moon-walks a dozen stud marks into the pitch!!!
I recall Sunderland signing Ally McOist when he was 19 years "One for the future" ................... 8 goals 56 appearances ... (1981 -83) He was cashed in..........